Hi

Well, life for us is even more chaotic than usual. Having a 16 year old will do that to you. She made the varsity basketball team so now we have been shuttling her back and forth from practice and games.



Alexis is not doing so well, but I am hoping that will change. She is in concert band and we are reccommending that she start in with the softball team. Try outs are not until after XMAS but they are having some training camps and I thought she would benefit from those.

I start work tomorrow and NO, I am not ready! I am scared to death. Oh and I am now within a month of finding out if I made major and what will I do if I didn't?

We went to church this morning. That was a trip. It was an Assembly of God church and there was a lot of action. We are going to go back though we are not all completely sold on it. We are a lot quieter, so it will take some getting used too, but I think we liked it overall.

Micah is now eating solid food and overall he seems to be doing well. He's a talker too. Quite a character.

Derek doesn't think he got the job he applied for the other day and he's completely depressed about it and its REALLY bringing me down.

We got new furniture (more bills). Hope we like it because we will be spending a lot of time at home for a while : )

We have arrived

This is just to let you know we have arrived and Florida is not too bad! It even has a Logan's!

I got my wish

After 16 years of trying to steal her, she was given to us last Thursday. We are now the proud owners of one 16 year old, with all of the joys and issues associated. It might only be until June, or it might be longer. We don't know, but we are happy with the situation. Though it increases the stress and chaos factors exponetially.

Free Rice

Yes, Thumper, it was fun to feel like an idiot. Some of those words were unbelievable, and I know I am well read. http://www.freerice.com/index.php is definitely worth a stop.

Impending doom...move

I admit it! I am being lazy! I don't want to write another paper and Idon't want to read 300 pages of text and I don't want to writediscussion questions. But I DO want to finish this degree, so I will doall of these things. However, I reserve the right to whine and complainthe whole way through. OK, Derek thinks I am crazy, but I am very insecure. Anyone who knowsme well knows this. I am up for Major this year. I did get aDefinitely Promote on my promotion recommendation form. I have neverdeployed (this is a negative in officer terms). The board was inSeptember so I can't change anything now, but I won't hear anythinguntil December. I know that over 90% of the people who were eligiblefor promotion made it last year and that over 98% of those with adefinitely promote made it, but what if I am in the 2-10% that don't?That is pretty scary. Even scarier, what if I do make it? I don't seemyself as a Field Grade Officer. Then again, I've never really wrapped my brain around being an officer : } And yes, I am whining and every single one of my insecurities are showing.

Ok, another whine - I HATE MOVING! I know I have mentioned this in the past (like last August). It is painful in SOOOO many ways. And moving with 4 kids, two of whom are under 5 is even worse. I know, its part ofthe job, but I still don't like, no not one bit! The only good partabout it is that I don't have to pack everything up OR lift the heavystuff. Woo Hoo! I am all about professional movers!

So, I am going to a conference for three days this week down town. It actually ought to be kind of fun! Some major movers and shakers in theAir Force are going to be speaking and I kind of want to hear what theyhave to say. I am also looking forward to the TOYS! Because you knowthe vendors always have great TOYS!

Is it possible to have too many books? I have been unloading the booksfrom my office in preparation for move and I have a lot of"professional" books, plus I have oodles and gobs of personal books,some of which I haven't read yet, though I mean too. And what's up withmy four or five favorite authors not keeping up with my readingappetite? I need more books! My mind is hungry for more dirty sexscenes and vampires drinking blood muhahaha (evil laugh). Seriously though, now Harry Potter is Done, Mercedes Lackey is not longer writingabout Valdemar, and I am completely caught up (ok, read them three orfour times) all of the series from Ward, Feehan, and Hamilton that Ienjoy. Granted, there is a new Merry Gentry book due out tomorrow which I will be going to get TOMORROW, but that will be finished by Friday at the latest, then what? I am even eyeballing the books for class with hunger (they are about Extremism though so they are kind of interesting, but don't tell anyone I said that). And, on top of all of that, I am addicted to Sudoku. Oh yea, I am, very much so.

I am not crazy

I am starting my XMAs cards. Those who know me know I start them early to get them out on time. I am cheating a little this year though, I used the computer for all of the address. NICE! Should save some time!

Derek and Alexis made it back safe and sound. Yea! We now have an address in Flroida. The house looks nice too. Here is a site that shows some pictures and details (http://www.realestatebook.com/propertydetails.aspx?hid=536487789). We are happy with it, though it's a bit farther than I really would have liked, but I will survive. The schools look like they will be good, and the home itself is nice, or so I am told.

Now we just have to get ready to move, oh yea!?

I just finished two papers due this week for school. I didn't get them done earlier and I should have. I am going to spend time tomorrow and Tuesday getting several more done so I am ahead of the power curve when we move. Sigh, that month off threw me off, big time!

Home Alone

Derek and Alexis are in Florida for the next few days house hunting and visiting the orthodontist. The house we really liked and wanted was leased last night, so now we have to find something else. Sigh! A lot of places have pools in the backyard. You know, I never thought I (we) would be the type of people to have a pool. Odd!

Can't beleive we are within 3 weeks of leavinhg. It's still not quite real. I am looking forward to it (overall), but I still have some concerns. I can't do anything about them right now though, so I am trying to keep everyone happy and calm. Derek is having issues with the calm part.

He's focused on househunting right now, but once that is over, he's going to start seriously job hunting. That's not exactly a fun thing, but it's gotta be done. I just want him to find something he can be happy with, you know?

And I am mostly done with XMAS shopping now. I have four boxes in the entryway ready to be mailed (next week). That just leaves Derek, Micah, the last of Cedes and the last of Mason's. I also have Derek's birthday covered. Yea! Go Lisa!

So much going on

Well, we have orders now so we are going through all of the necessary steps to get out of here. The packers are coming on Nove 1 and will haul our stuff away Nov 2, so we go into billetting on Nov 1. Won't that be fun? All of us in a little apartment-like space for 4 days! I won't kill anyone, I promise.

We got a call on the Amigo today, so hopefully it will be gone in the next two or three days! We were getting antsy about that. We plan to use the money from the sale to put the deposit on the house in Florida we intend to rent. Derek intends to go down next week if he can. He will take Alexis with him to see an orthodontist. I have no idea how that's going to work out. This is the only orthodontist who contacted me back, so if it doesn't work out, we will have her braces removed before we leave!



Lots of different things going on, but nothing really to share. Everything we have going on seems to be move related. Derek and I are stressing about everything. Money, the move, the kids, the house, jobs. We'll get through it though.

Also hoping to make Major, but not much I can do in that department at this point. I will know in December and can work it from there.

I start two more classes tomorrow for my degreed. I am on my last four classes now. I expect to be completed in March 2008 since the school screwed up. It's all good though. If I do make Major I expect I will be starting another Master's probably in political Science, so it's keeping me in practice.

As the stomach churns

I did it! I walked the 5K at a pace of 45:40. Yes, my legs hurt! But I did it! Now I am thinking I will be walking the 1/2 marathon next year! Alexis said she might be willing to walk it with me. I think it would be cool to do. I have a training regimen already, so I can plan for it. Anyone who wants can join us, I am sure we could find plenty to gossip about : )

We should have orders in the next few days. I heard form my sponsor today as well. My orders will say I am taking a flight commander position, but I won't be doing that for at least a year or so. Overall though, it sounds like it won't be too overwhelming, though you never know. My first order of business is to get back into shape. Derek intends to start working out at lunch 3 days a wekk, so that will help. I have to force myself to do the rest. I had the pulmonary function test today and the tech though I did well, so that doesn't look like it will be a limiting factor. I just have to get back into shape.

I have been helping Derek job hunt. I think he has a decent chance, but you never know. I really hope he finds something he can live with though. He's not stressing out (yet) so that's good, but if he doesn't find something, he will probably start getting worried.

Derek working will change our lives quite a bit. I hope we don't go too crazy as we get used to it. We might have to hire someone to come in and clean the house once a week to help out, but that's something for future. For now we need to focus on finding a place to live, getting rid of the truck Derek bought to go to Italy, and getting Derek a job. Moving is SOO much fun - NOT!

I've accepted it

Now, I can move on. We are going to Florida. This WILL be a good assignment. We are going to make the most of this move. On the way down we are going to visit the Jack Daniels Distillery and eat lunch in some crazy southern place. It WILL be fun. We will stay in hotels and use the pool. We will eat at restaraunts every night and do all of those fun things we don't do the rest of the time.

I started working out again today. I can run again, at least a little ways. I think I can pass my PT test if I had to do it right now, but I would hate life! I will get back into some semblance of my previous fitness level. I have almost lost all of the baby weight, so that helps. I am eating healthier too, even though I don't WANT too. C'mon, who wants to east veggies?

Derek is going to have to find a job now. Anyone know of any jobs near Eglin? He's not very happy about it, but it's got to be done. I just hope he finds something he can live with, otherwise I will hear about it for the next 4 years. Not nice!

And that's most of the news here. More to come as I find it out : )

Way too much going on

Now we aren't going to Italy. The base can't support us based on Derek's medical needs, so now they (the assignments people) are scrambling to find a replacement for me and a new assignment for us somewhere in the states. No telling where we will end up. I gave them a list of bases, but there is no telling what will happen. I just hope it's some place we can live with. Derek is really NOT happy about the whole situation. I can't really blame him, but I am hoping we can work everything out.

Everyone is doing well right now. Mercedes likes school. Mason and Micah are healthy. Alexis is doing well, and Derek is through with school. I am still on convalescent leave, though I am going to try to go back to work part-time. I need to get back into the routine. I haven't worked much since April and it's going to be really hard to get used to work again, though I am still spending a lot of time there. I go in to check e-mail and stuff.

And that's about it for us. Once I know where we are going, I will make sure to tell everyone. In the meantime, sigh, I am waiting, again.

Where things stand - today

Surgery: I had the surgery for the torn internal muscle last week and the pain has been minimal and I feel great, though I am trying not to overdo it. But that's easier said than done with me : ) I am supposed to be on con leave for 6 weeks, but am going to ask it be cut to 2. That won't happen until next week though : ) IN the meantime, I am busy and enjoying the time off.

Derek: Is now done with school and got all A's for the summer. Yea Derek. Next week he gets to start working on getting us ready to move. Yea Derek! He's also going to get to pain. YEA DEREK!! The boys are in daycare through September, so there is no reason he can't get some things done around the house.

Move: We are now in week four of waiting for our medical clearance. I was told it only needs one more signature and its done. I think I am going to request a departure date change to give us another two weeks. Not because I am so enamoured of this place, but to take some stress off of us. Hopefully we will find something out this week.

School: Mercedes and Alexis are now back to school. Mercedes is thrilled with riding the bus and even has someone from her kindergarten in her class. She's easy to please though. She's also doing well wiht her glasses and has been wearing them like she's supposed too, so that's good. Alexis is fine with school though alittle bummed that her best friend is not in her class anymore. I guess it will make it a little easier to leave when the time comes.

I had to get new glasses this year due to a change in prescription. Nothing drastic, just something that needed to be done. Unfortunately, the cost of glasses gets painful very quickly. Overall tho, things are fine here. Keeping busy with friends and the kids.

stress

I will not stress, I will not stress, I will not stress! Maybe if I say it enough it will be true :-) With trying to get the kids ready fors chool, having visitors, and preparing for the move, I am a bit overwhelmed. Plus I have work and health things going on, all of which has a shorter time frame, due to the move. I will get through this too. I got my lazy self out of bed this morning and worked out, which Ithought was a real breakthrough. I only walked for 20 minutes, but I was worn out and sweaty so I must have been doing something right. I plan to get up tomorrow morning and do an Abs workout. The Abs and glutes class was just too much. Those people are crazy. I feel guilty for not sticking with my workout routine better, but at least I amtrying to start back before a year has passed.

This is Derek's last day of school so he will be stress-free after this week. At least he should be. There's no telling. He's going to have to start focusing on the move though, which will probably stress him outeven more. His graduation present is scheduled for Friday. It's a man's spa package. He gets his hair done, a massage (the part he really wants), and a manicure. Hee hee hee. The manicure kind of threw him. He will probably like it though. I am trying to get him to apply for government jobs at Aviano, but he's not gotten that far yet. He's had the suggestion made several timesthat he should be a teacher. That is not a career path he wants to pursue though. He might be ok teaching martial arts or something, but teaching school would probably not work for him. He would kill someone or himself. I don't think it would be a bad idea to post his resume onthe site where they have Air Force Civilian Personnel. At least it gets him in the system.

I will be having surgery next week, followed by two weeks ofconvalescent leave. After that I am limited to walking and light activity for 6 weeks. Basically until we leave. The surgery is supposed to be pretty easy to recover form with minimal side effects, sothat's good. I am not into the pain thing at all. This will fix the damage done from 3 children, though, which I am really happy about!

I ordered all of the kids Halloween costumes, so we can send them toItaly so they will be there for the holiday. Mercedes wants to be a Diva (how appropriate), Alexis asked to be a pirate, Mason will be a vampire, and Micah gets to be Roo from Willie the Pooh. They will look so sweet.

I am finishing up my last two classes until October. Unfortunately, theschool screwed something up with my September classes, so now I have to wait. It slows me down by a month and I won't graduate until after January, probably March. As long as I finish, I think I will be ok. Bythe time I finish I will know if I made Major, so that will determine what my next step is. Overall, it's not a bad deal. I've bought all of my books, so I just have to keep them where I can find them.

Well. . . .

You know, I always say how we live in chaos? We really (REALLY) do. But you know something, I think I like it!



The last week or so has been non-stop! Mostly, it started last Saturday, because that's when we started celebrating Alexis birthday! And let me just say, if she does not appreciate turning 13, it's not for our lack of trying. We started Saturday morning with my present to her. I took her for a teenager facial and a professional make-up application. From there we went and got her ears (re) pierced. After that we went home to get ready for the evening. We went and did family pictures and then we all went to eat at Sake, followed by a movie (Ratatouille - very cute).



That was just Saturday. On Sunday, we got up and went to Ihop (about 40 minutes away) and Sonic, then headed out to the stables to go horse riding. Mason rode a horse for the first time, he was SUCH a big boy! That evening Derek and I went to the Alison Krauss concert while Alexis got to have a sleepover. BTW - Alison Krauss was GREAT! It was like going to a jam session with 1,000 of my closest friends vs one big, loud party. I liked it!

Yesterday was my last day of leave : (, bummer! I still wish I could just stay home with the kids, at least for the first year! I don't feel like we got nearly enuf cuddle time! Poor Boo!

Brittney leaves this next Tuesday. I know all of the kids will be sad, but it will let us get back into our routine, such as it is.It will also let us get prepared for school. The girls have all of their school clothes and Cedes has all of her school supplies, but we don't know what we need for Alexis. So much fun!

Derek is now only two weeks away from being done! I know he can't wait and I know it will relieve both of our stress. He's considering a Master's, but that would be next year before he starts. It would give him something to do while we are in Italy, too.

I need to go to work now (Sigh!).

Still too busy for words

I took a one of my fainals last week. It wasn't due until this week, but this week, I have a mid-term and a paper due, so I didn't want to stress myself. I think I have a decent chance of getting an A, though, it's all subjective. I hope to take care of the test today so I have the rest of this week to work on the paper.


I am going to try to go to the doctor today as I seemed to have developed a UTI. It's really not a good time for this, but hey, at least I am trying to take care of it. I figure I will be on antibiotics for ten days and it will go away. I am hoping to avoid another bad kidney infection like I had in 2003.


I have slacked off working out a bit this past week. I am trying to gert back into it a bit more. This morning was supposed to be a gym morning, but my partners didn't show up. I don't think I will be going back to that class. In the meantime, I can use those days to do practice fitness tests. This morning I did the pushups (not so good) and crunches portion. I can do the crunches no problem, but 30 pushups is going to be hard, so I need to work on that. I think I can get the mile and a half in 18 minutes, though it might just kill me. I need to work on that!


Derek goes to the doctor tomorrow to get the paperwork signed off for the PCS. Such a hassle. They want to make sure they can provide treatment for himthough. Too bad they don't do this earlier. The assignment selection date was back in April. If they would have given us a little heads up, we could have had all of this done rather than scrambling at the last minute. Ok it's not really the last minute but it feels like it.

Derek is almost done with his school stuff. He's taking a mid-term in one class this week, and the other class he's doing a project. It doesn't look like there will be any problems with him graduating, though you never know what will come up between now and then.

The kids are all doing well. Alexis is excited about her birthday this weekend. She's going to have a couple of her friends sleepover, so that ought to be fun. She's also working hard to test for her next belt in August. She wants to leave here as a brown belt.

Cedes is having issues with talking back and fighting her bedtime. Other than that she's fine. Her leg seem to have healed up, and she not had any other health issues. She's having alot of fun at school since they are going on field trips almost every day and she gets to take her lunch on Mondays.

Mason's continuing to develop his vocabulary though we don't always understand him. He's a little character, that's for sure. He's still Mommy's boy though.

Micah is doing well, though we think he's getting ready to cut teeth. That will be fun for everyone. He's going to daycare on a regular basis and that seems to be working out well also. He doesn't cry unless they wait too long to feed him, so he's a good baby. Speaking of crying I can hear him now, so I better go.

What we are doing

We have been busy, which is not unusual for us. This last weekend we took the family to the Zoo in Cincinnati. I was pretty happy with it, though I had heard form other people that it was not that great. We went later in the day so we missed the higher temperatures, but we got a lot of walking in. That wore us out pretty quickly. We turned in everything for our passports yesterday. Yea! Now we are going through a pile of medical paperwork for Derek mostly. The medical people are saying we can't get our orders until it's done. What? I don't think so. We are also being told that our passports could take up to 10 weeks to arrive which is when we are due to leave. Add to that two weeks to get visas and we might not leave when we planned too. Sigh! We are going to be flexible though! We have too. I have been working out 3 days a week but I have pretty much given the Abs and glutes a pass. It's just not easy for me since I hate going to the gym and working out in front of other people. I have been walking on the treadmill 3 days a week, plus the regular walking I do, so I think I am getting some good workouts. I just need to lay off of the sugar cookies form Sam's. Those are SOOOO good! I have a busy week for class this week. I have a case study to work on for one class. For another I have a paper to start and a discussion question. I forgot to take a quiz for one class but I did it this morning. I expect I will lose some points for timeliness. I have another paper due next week, so I need to get that started too. Plenty to do. In August I go back to two classes and by the end of August I will be done for a week or two. I start two classes in Septemeber again, but that's only for two months. In November, I start the final course abd I will be done in December. Yea! I am up in the air about whether I want to do a third Master's in Business or Criminal Justice. Unfortunately, the Majors board has been moved back three months, so I don't expect to hear anything until March. I was hoping I would know by January that way I could decide whether to go start a degree or whether I will be starting professional military education by correspondence. I have to go to small arms training on Monday. I don't really mind, in fact, it's kind of fun, but it's one more thing I have to do. I have to adjust my leave though because I was suposed to be on leave. Fun stuff. I went through quite a few boxes from storage this last weekend. It was not an easy experience since a lot of the stuff was Mom's, but I whittled down form 7 boxes to one. I found a lot of pictures so that was nice. Mom was a packrat though. I really miss her right now. She would have loved Micah.

A week in our lives

So, Monday we picked up Brittney and Alexis, and the fun started : ) We have been out to eat and to see Transformers. We got our hair cut and the girls went bowling. We had a bar b que with water war and fireworkds for the 4th, so what's left? Things are going to be a bit quiter for the next few weeks. I think we will go to Old Navy this week to do a little bit of school shopping. Alexis desperately needs jeans. Brittney just wants a few things here and there. I'm figuring out the money situation but I think I can swing it all. I will do the bulk of Mercedes and Alexis school shopping next month. Mercedes also needs new jeans, and new shoes, and a new bookbag, etc. Alexis does not need quite as much (thankfully).

Derek is having some serious issues with his surgery. I think a big part of it is that he is not taking his arthritis medicines so everything is magnified. I think he's going to hit the ER today to see if they can help. He sees the arthritis doc tomorrow.

Brittney is off to see the doctor tomorrow as well, and then tomorrow evening we are going to see a preview of the new Harry Potter movie. Of course, we are going to have to stand in line for two hours to get a decent seat. Sigh! It better be worth it. I am looking forward to the new book coming up, though I know I'm the one who will have to read it all. I might need to invest in the CD's.

School is going well for me. I finished my second case study and did much better (though not great) on it. I think it would have been loads better if I had not LOST the first one. THe e-mail ate it. Yep, that's my exucse. I had to re-do it and I know it was not nearly as good. It doesn't help that the book for the class has not arrived either. And I take the final in two weeks! It is supposed to be hear any day now. The other classes are all goign well. I got an A- on one of the mid-terms, so that was great! I started a new class last week, which is going to be interesting. No paper, but a project. Yuck!

I'm starting to get taskings for our move. We have to go get our passports soon, which is going to be fun!? We are also starting to go through our closets and get rid of stuff. Derek now has room in his closet for clothes! Wow! I need to go through my junk as well. Unfortunately, I also have uniforms that take up a lot of space, so my closet will stay full.

I think we are going to try to go to Sunwatch this week. We haven't been there for a few years, so it might be fun. Next week we are doing pictures with all of the kids. I need to get Micah's babtism outfit so he can have a picture taken in that. I have a pastor I like who I would like to Baptise him, but I haven't hear back from him yet. Hopefully that will happen in the next month or so. I want to do it before we leave.

And life continues to be crazy for us.

Off schedule

I usually do this on Sunday mornings, but this last Sunday that didn't work out. So, here I am on Tuesday morning playing catch up. Micah is on my lap cooing and sticking his tongue out. Cute, huh? Can you believe he's 10 weeks old today?

Brittney and Alexis got here yesterday. We have many plans for the next few weeks, but we also have a variety of things we have to do to get ready to PCS. We have to go get passports, etc, as well as go through boxes and closets. I am starting to get rid of things already, just to make life easier on us.

I have to go start the process of getting passports for everyone. We have to get no-fee passports and tourist passports so that will be two sets of documents to maintain. Just one more thing tpo take care of.

We turned in our paperwork with a departture date of 1 October. With the way the rules are changing, I couldn't be sure they would be willing to extend me to December and I wasn't willing to take the chance, so I decided to just suck it up and go. It's a 3 year tour so we should be back in 2010 or so. That's not too bad. I am hoping that I will be able to get San Antonio for that assignment and ride it out to retirement.

We are all doing well. Derek is doing pretty good in his classes. I finished a class last week with an A1, which brought my GPA up to a 3.33. I start a new class this week, which is always fun. I need to go to the library today to pick up books for classes also.

We had a new experience this last weekend. Mercedes had an abcess, we don't know from what, but the ER doctor had to make a small incision to drain it. We are being seen at the wound clinic, so we are getting a variety of visits in these days. Cedes doesn't like it a lot either. She threw some really good screaming fits. I

We are going to bar b que with friends for the 4th of July. I imagine it will deteriorate into board games or card games by the end of the night. THat can get a bit out of hand, but it's fun.

I am still working out, though I am not sure it's helping me a lot. I think I have lost maybe an inch or two and a pound or so, but nothing drastic. I was hoping that the loose areas would be noticeably firmer. I guess I just have to keep a it. I am doing good about getting up and doing the walking routine. I don't really like going to the gym for the ABS and GLUTES class (butts and bellies), but I have been going. I have a couple of friends going so that makes it easier to force myself. Otherwise I would stick with teh Ab Lounge and hope it made a difference.

I am considering going to the martial arts classes with Derek and the girls once we get overseas.
I think it would help me stay in shape and flexible. It would take a while to get uo to speed though.

The girls and I are getting ready to head out for errands. Oh, the joy! Guess that's it for now. More to come though as things heat up for the PCS.

Got an assignment

Italy! Yes, I said Italy, ad in overseas. Shocked is the only way I can put it. We were not expecting to go overseas at all. We are going to make the best out of it though. We will try to travel some and make memories for everyone. The kids wil get to do a lot of things they would not experience here. We have already found a martial arts center for them, though it's a different style, and the school has band, so Alexis can continue with that. We are most concerned about housing, cars, and Jack. A lot of places do not allow big dogs, plus we have four kids. I am going to try to take out a loan to cover things for us, but there is no telling if it will work out. We are a bit scared.

In other news, I got a 95% on my paper that I turned in last week. I think the teacher was imbibing in alcoholic beverages when he was reading it becuase I thought I was pretty incoherent. I have a final and a mid-term to tke this week, so wish me luck.

All of the kids are healthy this week. Small miracles. We are also through with softball, THANK GOD! It wasn't the kids so much as the parents, though the girls could have issues too. The season was not great for us, but losing can teach a lt more than winning, though it's not as much fun. I'm hoping to keep Alexis in softball next year, though I have to see what they have available.

Alexis is not pleased about the upcoming move, and I can't really blame her, but I am hoping that at some point in the not too distant future she will be happy about it. I know it's a HUGE change, and Alexis dos not care for change usually.

We are also going to try to get the girls on a bowling team. We were going to do that here, but I don't think it's going to work out. My date to leave by is late October. I don't think they will let me extend out to December like I want, so I am probably going to leave the first of September to get the kids inschool there as soon as I can.

I am going to be a FLight CC, which is not as important as it sounds to non-Air Force people. I am curious though about how long I willstay with the job and what else I will do while I am there. I am afriad I will end up as an exec again. It's going to be busy enough as it is. At least I am using the bulk of my leave now, rather than waiting.

I am hoping to pay off bills while there as well. Wouldn't that be nice? There are a lot of credit things I can't use, so that's good. I think we can do it.

It also looks as if Derek will not be able to work while we are there, so he will be a stay-at-home Dad again. I am going to try to put Mason into daycare, at least part-time just to help him out. He needs the routine, and he would drive Derek bonkers.

Derek should be graduated before we go, so that's good. So far, the classes he's got have not seemed overwhelming. I think he will get passing grades and be done, which will be a relief for all of us. I know he's more than ready to be done.

I am going to have to finish up after we leave, which kind of sucks! I only have 3 more classes to go, but I can't add any more on right now. I am already struggling with 3 classes. I have two more papers due as well, so I don't want to add to my stress. It makes it a bit more interesting for me though. I fully intend to finish this degree.

In addition, I won't find out (here) about Major, which kind of bums me out. I really (REALLY) hope I make it. I don't know what we will do if I don't. Probably ride out what time Ihave left to me, the move to TExas. I would pay off as much as I could before coming back too.

ENough about us. I guess this means family and friends will have to use our blogs though.

another weekend gone

We celebrated our 12th anniversary on Friday, though we actually went out on Saturday. The restaraunt we chose was MUCH more expensive than we thought, but the food was good and it was a nice atmosphere.

Sunday I made Derek breakfast and we went bowling after we ALL took naps. That was nice. Mason has been sick with what looks like an ear infection but the Drs are saying its viral. Poor little guy, he has been miserable. We were fighting fevers for a while, but there has also been a LOT of pain and drainage. The drainage actually has his ear clogged so bad we can't use the drops the drs gave us. Add to that the fussiness, and we have not been having a lot of fun.

I started working out last week on Monday. I went to the gym on Tuesday and Thursday for an Abs and gluts class which KICKED MY BUTT, but I think it will be worth it longterm. On the other days, I have a fat burning walking routine I am trying. It's a four week program, so I will have to let you know in four weeks : ) Wish me luck! The amazing thing is that I got up again this morning to do the workout, for me that's huge!

I had a paper due last week, thankfully I finished it, so now I am hoping to get a PASSING grade on it. This week I have a couple of things to accomplish as well, but I am not stressed.

Derek is on his last set of classes and so far so good. He passed all of his last classes (B's and a C). That relieved a lot of stress. He was afriad he might have failed one. He's thinking of trying for an internship after graduation, which would probably be good. Right now his focusing is graduating, though.

Once he graduates, he's going to go house hunting for us since I should know where we are going by then. At least that's my hope : ) I'm almost afraid we won't get orders since we have all begun preparing ourselves to leave.

Work on Friday was really busy. I had a lot of little things to handle, plus I was trying to finish that (^%#$)^ paper. I guess that's how it's going to be. Working one day I will have to get all of the nit noid things done that need to be accomplished.

Softball is almost over. Thankfully! It will be nice to have things a bit less hectic. Thursday is the last night. It did remind me of how much I miss softball. I think I will make a point of playing next year! It will also be good exercise! I think I am sick, thinking of how much exercise I can get from things.

I am getting ready to go grocery shopping. It will just be Micah and I, I think. Derek has something to do for school, so he's going to take off. that's ok. Boo and I can go on our own! We don't need anyone else : )

Speaking of Boo, he's about 12 lbs now. Growing like a weed. Mercedes has been growing again too. She has been on a growth streak since around November, at least that's how it feels. Mason is not growing a lot, but he's put on a LITTLE weight and height.

Derek tested for his next belt on Friday. As far as we know he made it, so that's good. He's a little bummed that he got so far behind becuase of his knee. He's also been trying to do my walking workout, though he's not been doing so well.